Forgiveness: The Divine Attribute

"To err is human; to forgive, divine." - Alexander Pope

     Have you ever ran into someone who just...makes your blood boil? And every time you think of what they did to you, you get upset all over again? And that pain just stings just as much as it did however many days, weeks, months, or years ago it occurred?

     Or what about if these people are repeat offenders? In fact, you know for a fact that they like to make you feel worthless or push your buttons or see you in pain? What if....they simply just do not deserve forgiveness?

     Peter, one of the Savior's twelve Apostles had this question: "...Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?"

     The Savior answered him: "...I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven."(Matthew 18:21-22)

     Seventy times seven. Woah. In other words, the Savior tells us to always forgive.

    In fact, some of His final words before His death were: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)

    This is a difficult thing do. It seems to go against our very natures as human beings. How can we allow insult and pain to our soul? It seems like if we forgive, then that means that we accept the harm that has happened to us from that particular person. This is why this is a divine attribute. It is not something that we as humans can do on our own. President Gordon B. Hinckley said: “Most of us have not reached [a Christlike] stage of compassion and love and forgiveness. It is not easy. It requires a self-discipline almost greater than we are capable of. But as we try, we come to know that there is a resource of healing, that there is a mighty power of healing in Christ, and that if we are to be His true servants we must not only exercise that healing power in behalf of others, but, perhaps more important, inwardly.”

     I'd like to conclude with a story given by Keith B. McMullin:

     "In Holland during World War II, the Casper ten Boom family used their home as a hiding place for those hunted by the Nazis. This was their way of living out their Christian faith. Four members of the family lost their lives for providing this refuge. Corrie ten Boom and her sister Betsie spent horrific months in the infamous Ravensbrück concentration camp. Betsie died there—Corrie survived.

In Ravensbrück, Corrie and Betsie learned that God helps us to forgive. Following the war, Corrie was determined to share this message. On one occasion, she had just spoken to a group of people in Germany suffering from the ravages of war. Her message was “God forgives.” It was then that Corrie ten Boom’s faithfulness brought forth its blessing.

A man approached her. She recognized him as one of the cruelest guards in the camp. “You mentioned Ravensbrück in your talk,” he said. “I was a guard there. … But since that time, … I have become a Christian.” He explained that he had sought God’s forgiveness for the cruel things he had done. He extended his hand and asked, “Will you forgive me?”

Corrie ten Boom then said:

“It could not have been many seconds that he stood there—hand held out—but to me it seemed hours as I wrestled with the most difficult thing I had ever had to do.

“… The message that God forgives has a … condition: that we forgive those who have injured us. …

“… ‘Help me!’ I prayed silently. ‘I can lift my hand. I can do that much. You supply the feeling.’

“… Woodenly, mechanically, I thrust my hand into the one stretched out to me. As I did, an incredible thing took place. The current started in my shoulder, raced down my arm, sprang into our joined hands. And then this healing warmth seemed to flood my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes.

“‘I forgive you, brother!’ I cried. ‘With all my heart.’

“For a long moment we grasped each other's hands, the former guard and the former prisoner. I had never known God’s love so intensely, as I did then.”1

    No, it is not an easy thing to do. It is painful. It can be miserable, horrible, and awful all rolled into one. It is not an easy road. But it is the Lord's way.

    President James E. Faust said: "Let us remember that we need to forgive to be forgiven. In the words of one of my favorite hymns, 'Oh, forgive as thou wouldst be e’en forgiven now by me.^'  With all my heart and soul, I believe in the healing power that can come to us as we follow the counsel of the Savior 'to forgive all men.'"2

    I know that as we ask our Heavenly Father for the help and assistance to forgive, that we will be happier; we will feel lighter, and will find greater success and joy in life. We will be able to live with with our Heavenly Father again. Forgiveness will heal us.